On Wednesday, September 30, the Michigan Senate passed surprise billing legislation: HB 4459, by 361 yeas and 32 nays, along with HB 4460 by 362 yeas and 37 nays. Michigan has been trying to address the surprise medical billing crisis for over a year, and we are excited the state has done so to help Michiganders!
Earlier in September, ERIC worked with Michigan legislators and stakeholders and sent a letter of support for HB 4459, as the bill would ban balance billing for out-of-network services that are delivered at in-network facilities, as well as in emergency rooms, and specifies that providers be reimbursed based on the average negotiated in-network rate in that region, or 150 percent of Medicare rates. These rules would apply to fully-insured plans in Michigan.
Click here to read the complete summary of the legislation and here for amendment changes.
Since the legislation was substituted and passed in the Senate, it must now return to the House for a vote. Michigan has very few session days for October and November, but it is very likely that Governor Whitmer will sign the legislation into law before the end of the year. This will be a major victory for Michigan patients, as well as another state that serves as an example for Washington to consider when working on a federal surprise billing ban.
Article by Shannon Belmont, Health Policy Associate